Taylor says weather patterns are starting to show a wet period moving into the Corn Belt and that could be very bad news for Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. La Niña continues to lose strength and should not be factor in the 2009 growing season.

Weed control early in the growing season is very important and producers should begin scouting fields soon, according to Pope.

Mueller reports soybean rust survived the winter in Louisiana and will be watched for any movement north this summer.

Elmore tells Cooper planting progress is encouraging and barring any weather delays corn farmers should complete corn seeding very soon. He says crusting remains a problem in areas of the state that received very heavy rainfall.

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